The National tribune., 1887-08-11
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
TAKE CARE OF THE WEEDS.

TAKE CARE OF THE WEEDS
1t seems to be peculiar provision that at the
season Of the year when the farmer is most
busily engaged, the weeds put forth their
strongest efforts When the hay crop is being
secured and its curing in the best manner re-
quires the exercise of every effort is the time
that weeds will grow. 1t may be said that
there should be no weeds to grow, which per-
haps ought to be true, but which nevertheless
is not. So long as farm manures are employed
in the production of crops, so long will there
be weeds TO annoy the farmer, unless his ma
nure is made to pass through such a state Of
fermentation as will destroy the vitality of all
seeds of grass and weeds that may chance to be
contained in it. 1t is also extremely rare that
field that has been long under cultivation
is free from the seeds of weeds or even
grass. Old fields that have not been cult
waited for years. upon being plowed will give
life TO seeds that must have lain dormant
in the soil for long time. Clean culture
goes long way in keeping down these per-
petnal pests. BY clean culture we mean thor
oughness In what is done on the line of the
attention given TO growing crops. III hoeing.
the act may he thoroughly done, leaving for
the time being a clear field, or il NAV be so
growing when the job is finished. 1t is this
careless mode of hOeing that is prolific of
weeds, and which causes a reversal before har-
vest. G., a diminished crop and an increase
OF weed growth. It is the hight of folly to
plant field to be abandoned to weeds. and yet
this condition is observed. Fields are seen
where potatoes are literally choked by the
weeds, aud where corn is even OvertOpped by
the rank growth Of weeds. Better never pillow
or plant than TO allow such a condition of
things 10 exist, with the seeding that will nat
urally follow.-GernlGTltOlpn Telegraph.
SHADE ~ PASTURES.
We have heard of farmers 1--WE hope they are
few that will not have shade tree In their
pastures, because as they say, in hot days the
COWS VIII lie ia the shade when they should be
eating. If there is one thing that the humane
farmer should attend TO more than another. il
is the comfort Of the animals under his care
We should as soon think Of having pasture
without water as without shade and ii We
lived where trees did not grow OF only grew
with great difficulty. one of the first things we
should do would be to provide means of shell
ter from the rays OF hot Midsummer sun.
Even in the case Of mlch cows If they do
spend portion Of their time in the protection
OF this shelter instead of grazing. we should ex-
pect better returns than if exposed 10 the heat
and the continued worry Of flies. If no trees
exist, make a rough shelter by means of
crotches, poles and boards in manner TO form
shade. There is no good reason why animals
should not be allowed opportunity for comfort
as well as their masters. whom they patiently
serve aud Of which they are most assuredly
deserving.
SUMMER PRUNING OF PINES.
At this season of the year the various species
of pines are making their growth, and some
times when growing fast are apt TO make thin
looking specimens, mot at all in accordance
with the close, dense growth which so much
delights the eye Of a cultivated tree-lGver
How to remedy this is often question. The
object can be accomplished by shortening the
growths which the tree makes this season. All
the strongest growths are IA tie upper portions
Of the tree, and If these are cut back few
1 inches while soft and green quite a number of
small buds will be formed, which next year
/ viii make numerous branches, and thus thieken
| up the tree. The leading shoot is generally
the strongest, and this must be cut off as we'll.
\ rs the rest it is indeed more important that
this should be cut than the others Another
4 bud for leader next year VIII be formed now.
and the tree will in no way be disfigured by
| the sbortening-in. InGeed no one will know
that it has been pruned at all. The tree will
have large number Of branches this time next
] year-double or treble the number-and moth
| ing will be noted before this. 1t is important
] 10 be borne IN mind that only the strong shoots,
which are the upper shoots, should be pruned
4 back. The ones growing near the ground are
generally much weaker than those growing
near the top of the tree, and all who have tried
this kind of trimming report that it is an in
! jury 20 touch them. Usually it is the upper
half only Of the tree that should have this
Summers pruning-knife.
HARD-PULLIsG HoRsEs.
II, as is sometimes the case, horse pulls
hard upon the bit, il IL not desirable to put in
| ia fvCfa ID nfi.a
/ only makes the matter worse. much better
\ way Is 10 take common bit and have il COW
/ cred with stout leather, and use il in that man.
ner. IL may take little time for horse TO
get used to it. He cannot get so strong a hold
with his teeth. and it Is not as severe upon the
mouth as a curve or twisted bit, and in little
time the animal will be cured Of Juggling at the
bit, which often makes it tiresome driving
THE STRAWBERRY CROP.
This crop is coming to be much more COM
mon than formerly, and as a result less profta-
! BILE 10 those who cultivate for market alone.
IL comes about in this way: There are farmers
/ families who have patches for their own use
that produce beyond their expectations, aud
the surplus they put upon the market, which
/ creates supply exceeding the demand at
/ times. Ii is with strawberries as il is with
other crops they are over produced, and then
market production is reduced TO such an extent
that the demand is active and prices good.
NoTEs.
- The banana muskmelon Is not fit to eat.
- As soon as the milk begins to sour, skim
of the cream before rsncidity starts.
- Pull the collars away from the shoulders
while resting the horses in the field, so that the
air can pass freely between them.
A Merino sheep will get fat In three
months of good feeding. 1t will not be thick
on the rib, for this is net the nature Of the Me-
| rino.
- There is nothing so good to keep sow
from getting crazy and destroying her pigs as
bran. ltshould be given twice n day in liberal
doses 1t may be mixed with cornmeal, rye or
anything.